Old Colony Archives
Teens open their hearts
By Paula Charbonneau, Standard-Times correspondent
December 7, 2000
ACUSHNET -- Designing a holiday card may not have been something Acushnet's Stefanie Pimentel had in mind when she began her cosmetology career at Old Colony, but design she did.
Stefanie and seven of her buddies in the school's Peer Leadership Group decided to raise funds for the Mattapoisett advocacy group Hearts & Hands, whose mission is to help families with critically or terminally ill children.
"It was actually the woman from Hearts & Hands that came up with the card idea," said Stefanie. "We thought a snowman was festive and generic and we put little heart buttons on him."
"It kind of goes along with the Hearts and Hands idea," said Sarah Phelan, who also became involved in the fund-raising effort.
Peer leadership advisor and computer technology teacher Audrey Henry said she was contacted by Hearts & Hands to see if there was anything the students could do.
When Ms. Henry presented the opportunity to help Hearts & Hands to the peer group, Stefanie and Apryl Arruda, both juniors from Acushnet; Sarah, a sophomore from Carver; Beth Burnham, a sophomore from Lakeville; Rochester sophomores, Jodi Watson and Erica Guy; and Assonet sophomores Ashley Purcell and Kiera Marchesi wanted to help.
They enlisted the help of the Graphic Communication and Design class and began their work. They managed to get envelopes donated from RSI Paper in Mansfield and they hit the streets and their families to raise money.
Their goal is $1,000, and are about $700 shy. The cards sell in packets of 12 for $10 or 25 for $20.
"If anyone would like to buy the cards but can't pick them up, we will deliver," said Ms. Henry, "The cards are not dated so we are encouraging people to buy them even if they already bought cards, they can put them away for next year."
The peer leaders spent about $250 of their club money to get the cards printed and packaged. They will not take any money for expenses.
"All of the money, 100 percent, will go to Hearts and Hands," said Erica.
"I've been selling to my family and my mom brought some to work," said Stefanie.
The group wants more folks to know about their efforts.
Anyone interested in buying the cards can contact Ms. Henry at the school, (508) 763-8011, Ext. 163.